Methods for reducing the viscosity of a liquid

ABSTRACT

A device and method are disclosed to mix two or more liquids to reduce their viscosity, specific gravity or density. The device can also take a heavy fuel oil and following treatment, produce a lighter fuel oil. The invention also comprises a method and procedure for mixing two or more liquids as well as producing a lighter fuel oil from a heavy fuel oil.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of a prior filed and currentlypending application having Ser. No. 14/571,592 and filing date of Dec.16, 2014.

This application claims priority and is entitled to the earliesteffective filing date of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No.14/571,592, filed on Dec. 16, 2014, which claims priority and isentitled to the filing date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.61/916,286, filed on Dec. 16, 2013. The contents of the aforementionedapplications are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The subject of this patent application relates generally to industrialprocessing of liquids, and more particularly to methods for reducing theviscosity of a liquid.

Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all patentsand published patent applications cited or referred to in thisapplication.

Much of the oil that is being pumped out of the earth is heavy oilcomprised of large hydrocarbon molecules that form a viscous solutionknown as a heavy oil. Heavy crude oil or extra heavy crude oil is oilthat is highly viscous, and cannot easily flow to production wells undernormal reservoir conditions. It is referred to as “heavy” because itsdensity is higher and its specific gravity is lower than that of lightcrude oil. Heavy crude oil has been defined as any liquid petroleum withan API gravity less than 20°. Physical properties that differ betweenheavy crude oils and lighter grades include higher viscosity andspecific gravity, as well as heavier molecular composition. In 2010, theWorld Energy Council (“WEC”) defined extra heavy oil as crude oil havinga gravity of less than 10° and a reservoir viscosity of more than 10,000centipoises. When reservoir viscosity measurements are not available,extra-heavy oil is considered by the WEC to have a lower limit of 4° API(i.e., with density greater than 1000 kg/m³ or, equivalently, a specificgravity greater than 1 and a reservoir viscosity of more than 10,000centipoises. Heavy oils and asphalt (also known as bitumen) are densenon-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). They have a low solubility and havea higher viscosity and density than water.

In some instances, when the viscosity of the oil is so thick it does notflow easily, for example, when put into a pipeline. This can result in arequirement that the oil be treated by cutting it with solutions thatcan be expensive, heating the pipeline to lower viscosity or shippingthe oil through another means, for instance, in a tanker truck. Each ofthese adds cost to the production of the oil, which is reflected inhigher prices for finished goods derived from the oil. Thus, there is aneed to provide a device and a method that can condition a liquidcomprised of large molecules, such as heavy oil or bitumen, recombiningits molecular structure so that it has a lower viscosity and as a resultflows better.

Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide furtherrelated advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in constructionand use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below.

The present invention solves the problems described above by providingmethods for reducing the viscosity of a liquid. In at least oneembodiment, a device and method are disclosed to mix two or more liquidsto reduce their viscosity, specific gravity or density. The device canalso take a heavy fuel oil and following treatment, produce a lighterfuel oil. The invention also comprises a method and procedure for mixingtwo or more liquids as well as producing a lighter fuel oil from a heavyfuel oil.

Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a method usingresonance excitation of a liquid, including, without limitation, ahydrogen-bonded liquid, through the use of an oscillatory exposure of aliquid, including, without limitation, a mixture of two or more liquids,for deconstructive recombination of their chemical bonds at a molecularlevel to facilitate a relatively lower viscosity. At the outset, itshould be noted it is known that resonance excitation is capable ofacting as a source of energy for recombination of molecular structureand chemical bonds. An example of such teachings can be found in EP1260266, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference. Furthermore, the methods disclosed herein are intended to becarried out, in at least one embodiment, using a device similar to thattaught in EP 1260266. Thus, any reference made herein to exemplarydevices or structural components related thereto is intended to bereferring to said devices and/or structural components described in EP1260266, in at least one embodiment. Through the use of the methodsdisclosed herein, in combination with such a device, a liquid—such asheavy oil (including bitumen), for example—could be transformed suchthat the liquid that is processed in a resonance excitation device ismade to flow better and allows for the transport of the liquid through apipeline. This not only saves money, but time and effort. This samedevice is also capable of using resonance excitation to mix two or moreliquids—for example, a heavy oil or bitumen with a cutter.

In an embodiment, the resonance excitation occurs through the transferof the energy created by mechanical oscillations, by, withoutlimitation, a source placed into a liquid that is capable of operatingon one of the basic frequencies. Through the use of such a resonanceexcitation, the viscosity of a liquid, including without limitation, ahydrogen bonded liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil orbitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, isreduced. In an embodiment, a basic frequency abides by the commonrelationshipFN=F1N−½, where N>=1—the selected integer;

-   -   F1=63.992420 [kHz]—the basic oscillation frequency at N=1.

In another embodiment, a method for resonant excitation of a mixture oftwo or more liquids is administered through the excitation of thehydrogen-bonded liquids with a rotary hydrodynamic source.

In an embodiment, a hydrodynamic source uses mechanical oscillations. Ina further embodiment, the mechanical oscillations are effectuated on thetwo or more liquids by moving the liquids into a cavity of a workingwheel that rotates inside a stator. In this embodiment, the two or moreliquids are discharged thorough a series of outlet openings that areevenly spread on the peripheral circumference of the rotor, into anannular chamber created by the coaxial wall and the peripheralcircumference of the rotor. In a further embodiment, the outlet openingsare not evenly spread. In another embodiment the openings are the samesize. In a further embodiment, the openings are of different sizes. In astill further embodiment, two or more openings are of the same size,while one or more openings are of a different size. In an embodiment, atleast two or more openings are of the same size. In another embodiment,at least two or more openings are of the same size and one or moreopenings are of a different size. In an embodiment, at least three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen,fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty ormore openings are of the same size. In an embodiment, at least three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen,fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty ormore openings are of a different size.

In an embodiment, following the discharge of a mixture of two or moreliquids from the annular chamber, the resonant excitation of the mixtureof two or more liquids is affected. In an embodiment, the mixture of twoor more liquids is affected, at least in part, by the relationship setforth in the following formula:nR=1.16141F, where n[1/s]—the rotation frequency of the working wheel;

-   -   R [m]—the radius of the peripheral surface of the working wheel

In an embodiment, a mechanism for driving a rotor comprises a system forcontrolling the rotation frequency of the rotor, wherein, the deviationof rotation is 0.1%, ˜0.2%, ˜0.3%, ˜0.4%, ˜0.5%, ˜0.6%, ˜0.7%, ˜0.8%,˜0.9%, ˜1%, ˜2%, ˜3%, ˜4%, ˜5%, ˜6%, ˜7%, ˜8%, ˜9%, ˜10%, ˜11%, ˜12%,˜13%, ˜14%, ˜15%, ˜16%, ˜17%, ˜18%, ˜19%, ˜20%, ˜21%, ˜22%, ˜23%, ˜24%,˜25%, ˜26%, ˜27%, ˜28%, ˜29%, ˜30%, ˜35%, ˜40%, ˜45% or ˜50% from thecalculated value thereof. In an embodiment, a control of the rotationfrequency of a rotor is manifested through a device, wherein the deviceincludes, without limitation a computer and/or a mechanical device. Inan embodiment, a computer includes a program to control the rotationfrequency of a rotor. In an embodiment, and without limitation, theprogram is a software program. In a further embodiment, a softwareprogram regulates all aspects of the rotation frequency of a rotor. Inanother embodiment, a software program regulates some, but not allaspects of the rotation frequency of a rotor. In an embodiment, asoftware program adjusts the rotation frequency of a rotor based on thedensity of a liquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bondedliquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen,including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil. In anotherembodiment a software program increases the rotation frequency of arotor as the density of a liquid, including, without limitation, ahydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil orbitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil,increases and decreases the rotation frequency of a rotor as the densityof a liquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid,including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen, including,without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil.

In an embodiment, the control of the rotation frequency of a rotor ismanifested through a device, wherein the rotation frequency is adjustedto take into consideration such elements as, and without limitation, theviscosity, the pour point, flash point, the asphaltene and wax content,the paraffin content and/or the flow temperature. In a furtherembodiment, the control of the rotation frequency of a rotor ismanifested through a device wherein the rotation frequency is adjustedto take into consideration such elements as, and without limitation, thechemical composition and/or rheology of the liquid.

In an embodiment, the flow may be adjusted and the proportion of theliquids being blended may be adjusted taking into consideration suchelements as viscosity, and other factors that can affect viscosity.

In an embodiment, a device for resonant excitation of liquids,including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, including,without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen, including, withoutlimitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, is effectuated with the use ofa rotary hydrodynamic source of mechanical oscillations. In anembodiment, and without limitation, a rotary hydrodynamic source ofmechanical oscillations includes, without limitation, a rotor, a shaftresting on bearings and/or at least one working wheel installed on theshaft, wherein, the working wheel includes, without limitation, a discwith a peripheral annular wall having a series of outlet openings for aliquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid,including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen, including,without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, that are evenly spacedalong the circumference; a stator, having, without limitation, a wallcoaxial to the working wheel; an intake opening for the supply of aliquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen bonded liquid,including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen, including,without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, that is capable ofcommunicating with a cavity of the working wheel; a discharge openingfor outflow of a liquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogenbonded liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen,including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil; an annularchamber formed by the coaxial wall of the stator and/or peripheralannular wall of the working wheel and communicating with the dischargeopening of the stator, and a means for driving the rotor with a presetrotation frequency, such that the value of the external radius of theperipheral annular wall of the working wheel constitutesR=2.8477729n−⅔0.10 4 [mm], where n=14.651908F3 [r.p.m.]−the rotationfrequency of the working wheel;F=63.992420N−½ [kHz]—the basic frequency of resonant excitation;

-   -   N>=1—the selected integer,        while the value of the internal radius of the coaxial wall of        the stator constitutes        R1=R+B S(2.pi.)−1 [mm],    -   where B>=1—the selected integer;    -   S=7.2973531 [mm]—the pitch of outlet openings of the working        wheel along the circumference of the radius R.

In an embodiment, the radial extent of an outlet opening of a workingwheel of a device is made multiple to the value S(2.pi.)−1.

In an embodiment, the radial extent of an outlet opening of a workingwheel is made equal to the value S(2.pi.)−1.

In another embodiment, a device capable of creating a resonanceexcitation can mix two or more liquids. In a further embodiment, adevice capable of creating a resonance excitation can mix two or moreliquids evenly. In an embodiment, a device capable of creating aresonance excitation can mix two or more liquids evenly and the liquidsstay evenly mixed for a period of time after the mixing occurs. In anembodiment, the two or more liquids stay evenly mixed for 1 day, 2 days,3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11days, 12 days, 13 days, 14 days, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 13 weeks, 14weeks, 15 weeks, 16 weeks, 17 weeks, 18 weeks, 19 weeks, 20 weeks, 21weeks, 22 weeks, 23 weeks, 24 weeks, 25 weeks, 26 weeks, 27 weeks, 28weeks, 29 weeks, 30 weeks, 31 weeks, 32 weeks, 33 weeks, 34 weeks, 35weeks, 36 weeks, 37 weeks, 38 weeks, 39 weeks, 40 weeks, 41 weeks, 42weeks, 43 weeks, 44 weeks, 45 weeks, 46 weeks, 47 weeks, 48 weeks, 49weeks, 50 weeks, 51 weeks, 52 weeks, 13 months, 14 months, 15 months, 16months, 17 months, 18 months, 19 months, 20 months, 21 months, 22months, 23 months, 24 months, 25 months, 26 months, 27 months, 28months, 29 months, 30 months, 31 months, 32 months, 33 months, 34months, 35 months, 36 months, or more.

In an embodiment, a device to mix/blend a liquid, including, withoutlimitation a hydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, aheavy oil or bitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffiniccrude oil, includes, without limitation, a 50 Hz or 60 Hz electricmotor; a variable frequency drive for adjustment of the rotation speedof the electric motor; a feed supply line to the device, including,without limitation, a primary line; and one or more auxiliary lines forsupply of the required amount of liquids and/or a blend discharge linethat runs from the device. In an embodiment, each line is equipped,without limitation, with a pressure meter or pressure gauge; athermocouple or temperature gauge; a flow meter; a viscosity meter; amass meter; a density meter; a primary flow shut off valve; an automaticor manual driven flow adjustment valve; and/or an additional pump tofacilitate the flow of a liquid through the device.

In an embodiment, a device is automated so that it can adjustautomatically to changes in the composition of the liquid that is runthrough it. For instance, if the liquid is a heavy fuel oil, as thecomposition of the fuel oil changes, the device is adjustedautomatically to take into account the change in the composition of thefuel oil. In an embodiment, the automation works through the use of acomputer. In a further embodiment, the automation is conducted throughthe use of a software program.

In an embodiment, a device is fixed on a custom fabricated skid frame.In another embodiment, a device is fixed on a solid surface, including,without limitation, a hard wood floor, a tile floor, a concrete floor,an asphalt floor, a dirt floor, a ceramic floor, a vinyl floor and/orany other floor that is capable of supporting the device. In anembodiment, a device is fixed on a vehicle that is able to move,including, without limitation, a truck, a trailer, a plane, a boat,including, without limitation, a barge, a tanker and/or a super tanker.

In another embodiment, a liquid for blending may include a liquefiedhydrogen containing gas. In this embodiment, a liquefied gas supply lineis without limitation, equipped with a compressor. In an embodiment, ablend discharge line through which a blended liquid flows is equippedwith a gas flow meter; a pressure meter or pressure gauge; athermocouple or temperature gauge; a flow meter; a viscosity meter; amass meter; a density meter; a primary flow shut off valve; an automaticor manual driven flow adjustment valve; and/or an additional pump tofacilitate the flow of a liquid through the device.

In an embodiment, a method and a device are capable, without limitation,of blending a mixture of two or more liquids, including withoutlimitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, and further, without limitation, aheavy oil or bitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffiniccrude oil with a diluent, including, without limitation, a light cutterstock, such as, without limitation, a diluent, or solvent, which is alight hydrocarbon to reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of thecrude oil being processed. Including, but not limited to a straight rundiesel distillate, a straight run kerosene distillate, a straight runnaphtha distillate, a straight run distillate slurry, an oil productslurry, a liquefied hydrogen containing gas, a gas condensate and/or alighter or high API crude, including, but not limited to, a shale oil, alight high API crude oils, other crude oils, including, withoutlimitation, a crude oil that is lighter than a liquid into which adiluent is added, including a crude oil.

In a further embodiment, through processing of a liquid using a device,including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, wherein, theprocessing reduces the viscosity of a liquid, including, withoutlimitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, aheavy oil or bitumen, including, without limitation, a processed highparaffinic crude oil is reduced by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, atleast 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, atleast 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, atleast 19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, atleast 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, atleast 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, atleast 34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, atleast 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, atleast 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, atleast 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, atleast 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, atleast 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, atleast 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, atleast 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, atleast 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, atleast 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, atleast 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, atleast 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, atleast 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, atleast 99% or at least 100%.

In another embodiment, the pour point of a liquid, including, withoutlimitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, aheavy oil or bitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffiniccrude oil is reduced by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, atleast 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, atleast 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, atleast 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, atleast 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, atleast 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, atleast 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, atleast 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, atleast 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, atleast 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, atleast 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, atleast 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, atleast 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, atleast 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, atleast 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, atleast 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, atleast 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or atleast 100%.

In an embodiment, the volume of a liquid, including, without limitation,a hydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil orbitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oilincreases at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, atleast 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, atleast 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, atleast 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, atleast 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, atleast 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, atleast 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, atleast 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%, atleast 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least 50%, atleast 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at least 55%, atleast 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, at least 60%, atleast 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, atleast 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70, atleast 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, atleast 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, atleast 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, atleast 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, atleast 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, atleast 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% of at least 100%following the processing of the liquid including, without limitation, ahydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil orbitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil.

In an embodiment, a fractionation process of a liquid, including,without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, and further including,without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen, including, withoutlimitation, a high paraffinic crude oil by way of distillation,comprising, without limitation, a preliminary treatment of the liquidwith the help of a device, including, without limitation, apre-installed rotary hydrodynamic source of mechanical oscillations,followed by, without limitation, the supply of the preliminarily treatedliquid into a fractionating tower and the outflow of distilled andresidual fractions. In a further embodiment, a fractionation processincludes a diversion of part of a general flow of a liquid that is to befractionated, wherein the diverted part of a general flow is subjectedto a preliminary treatment with a device, following which the divertedflow and a non-diverted flow are combined prior to feeding the combinedliquid into a fractionating tower. In a further embodiment, afractionation process includes a diversion of part of a general flow ofa liquid that is to be fractionated, wherein the diverted part of ageneral flow is subjected to a preliminary treatment with a device andthe non-diverted flow is also subjected to a preliminary treatment witha device, wherein, without limitation the diverted flow and non-divertedflow are subject to the same preliminary treatment or are subjected to adifferent preliminary treatment, following which the diverted flow and anon-diverted flow are combined prior to feeding the combined liquid intoa fractionating tower.

In an embodiment, a partial flow amounts to at least 1%, at least 2%, atleast 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%,at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, atleast 19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, atleast 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, atleast 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, atleast 34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, atleast 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, atleast 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, atleast 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, atleast 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, atleast 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, atleast 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, atleast 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, atleast 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, atleast 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, atleast 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, atleast 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, atleast 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, atleast 99% or more of the full flow.

In an embodiment, the amount of a cutter that is added to a liquid,including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen, and further,without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil that is run through adevice is reduced by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%,at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, atleast 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, atleast 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, atleast 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, atleast 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, atleast 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, atleast 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, atleast 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, atleast 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, atleast 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, atleast 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, atleast 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, atleast 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, atleast 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, atleast 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, atleast 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, atleast 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% ascompared to the amount of cutter used when a device is not utilized.

In an embodiment, a method of fractionation includes, withoutlimitation, a partial return into a fractionating tower of its ownresidual fraction, wherein the returned residual fraction is subjectedto a preliminary treatment by way of resonant excitation with a device.

In an embodiment, the invention includes, without limitation, a plant tofractionate a liquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bondedliquid, and further including, without limitation, a heavy oil orbitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, byway of distillation, comprising: interconnecting by pipelines a feedingpump; at least one fractionating tower; and a pre-installed rotaryhydrodynamic device for the preliminary treatment of liquid, wherein thedevice for the preliminary treatment of liquid effects resonantexcitation of a liquid and the rotary hydrodynamic device issequentially installed between the outlet of the feeding pump and theinlet of the fractionating tower.

In an embodiment, an inlet of a device for resonant excitation of aliquid including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, andfurther including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen,including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, is connectedto an inlet of a fractionating tower through a shut-off-control element.In another embodiment, an inlet of a device for resonant excitation of aliquid including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, andfurther including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen,including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, is connectedto an inlet of a fractionating tower through a shut-off-control element.In another element, a loop of a partial return into a fractionatingtower of a residual fraction, comprises, without limitation, a feedingpump and a heating device sequentially interconnected by a pipeline,wherein, and without limitation, into the loop of a partial return of aresidual fraction there is sequentially installed a second device forresonant excitation of the liquid including, without limitation, ahydrogen-bonded liquid, and further including, without limitation, aheavy oil or bitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffiniccrude oil.

In an embodiment, a method and a device may be used to blend two (ormore) liquids including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid,and further including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen,including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, containing ahydrogen bond, or a liquid and/or a liquefied hydrogen containing a gas.

In an embodiment, a method to use a device to decrease the viscosity ofa liquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, andfurther including, without limitation, a heavy oil or bitumen,including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, or mix/blendtwo or more different liquids, includes, but is not limited to thefollowing steps: initiating a method to close a shutoff valve; followedby draining the system of air; establishing a flow through the device ofa liquid, including, a hydrogen-bonded liquid and further including, aheavy oil or bitumen, including, without limitation, a high paraffiniccrude oil; use of a flow meter to record the flow of a liquid; wherein acutter is added to the liquid through a cutter line; wherein, a flowmeter is used to establish a desired ratio between a cutter and aliquid; and the flow of the liquid and the cutter is modulated throughthe use of a viscometer, a density meter and/or a mass meter; whereinthe viscosity readings are monitored to achieve the desired blend ratioof a liquid and a cutter.

In an embodiment, a method and a device are suitable for blending two ormore streams to produce fuel oils of all standard grades. In a furtherembodiment, use of a device results in a reduction of viscosity of aliquid, including, without limitation a hydrogen-bonded liquid,including, without limitation, a heavy feedstock, wherein the liquid isdiluted with a liquid of lower density or specific gravity, including, alight feedstock, wherein, without limitation, the ratio of a heavyfeedstock and a lighter feedstock can be mixed in any proportion. Inanother embodiment, the ratio of a heavy feedstock to a lighterfeedstock is 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11,1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1,5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1,18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 2:3, 3:2, 2:5, 5:2, 2:7, 7:2, 2:9, 9:2, 2:11, 11:2,2:13, 13:2, 2:15, 15:2, 2:17, 17:2, 2:19, 19:2, 3:5, 5:3, 3:7, 7:3, 3:8,8:3, 3:10, 10:3, 3:11, 11:3, 2:13, 13:3, 3:14, 14:3, 3:16, 16:3, 3:17,17:3, 3:19, 19:3, 4:5, 5:4, 4:7, 7:4, 4:9, 9:4, 4:10, 10:4, 4:11, 11:4,4:13, 13:4, 4:14, 14:4, 4:15, 15:4, 4:17, 17:4, 4:18, 18:4, 4:19, 19:4,5:7, 7:5, 5:8, 8:5, 5:9, 9:5, 5:11, 11:5, 5:12, 12:5, 5:13, 13:5, 5:14,14:5, 5:16, 16:5, 5:17, 17:5, 5:18, 18:5, 5:19, 19:5 or other ratio.

In an embodiment, a liquid includes, without limitation, fuel oils Nr. 1thru 6; MGO, MDO, IFO, MFO, HFO, IFO 380, IFO 180, LS380, LS180, LSMGO,ULSMGO, RMA 30, RMB 30, RMD 80, RME 180, RMF 180, RMG 380, RMH 380, RMK380, RMH 700, RMK 700.

In an embodiment, a blended liquid consists of, without limitation, ATB,VTB, distillate slurry, distillate cutters, light oil cutters, shale oilcutters, and liquefied gas cutters.

In an embodiment, the blend proportions may vary depending on thedesired grade of fuel oil, including, without limitation, a quantity oflight cutter that comprises no more than 1%, no more than 2%, no morethan 3%, no more than 4%, no more than 5%, no more than 6%, no more than7%, no more than 8%, no more than 9%, no more than 10%, no more than11%, no more than 12%, no more than 13%, no more than 14%, no more than15%, no more than 16%, no more than 17%, no more than 18%, no more than19%, no more than 20%, no more than 21%, no more than 22%, no more than23%, no more than 24%, no more than 25%, no more than 26%, no more than27%, no more than 28%, no more than 29%, no more than 30%, no more than31%, no more than 32%, no more than 33%, no more than 34%, no more than35%, no more than 36%, no more than 37%, no more than 38%, no more than39%, no more than 40%, no more than 41%, no more than 42%, no more than43%, no more than 44%, no more than 45%, no more than 46%, no more than47%, no more than 48%, no more than 49%, no more than 50%, no more than51%, no more than 52%, no more than 53%, no more than 54%, no more than55%, no more than 56%, no more than 57%, no more than 58%, no more than59%, no more than 60%, no more than 61%, no more than 62%, no more than63%, no more than 64%, no more than 65%, no more than 66%, no more than67%, no more than 68%, no more than 69%, no more than 70%, no more than71%, no more than 72%, no more than 73%, no more than 74%, no more than75%, no more than 76%, no more than 77%, no more than 78%, no more than79%, no more than 80%, no more than 81%, no more than 82%, no more than83%, no more than 84%, no more than 85%, no more than 86%, no more than87%, no more than 88%, no more than 89%, no more than 90%, no more than91%, no more than 92%, no more than 93%, no more than 94%, no more than95% or no more than 96% compared to conventional blending and mixingmethods that do not utilize a device, including, without limitation, adevice that blends using energy or resonance.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A device of the invention is manufactured and fixed onto a barge (thoughit could easily be put onto a different type of boat). The boat is inthe harbor and is brought in close proximity of the jetty, pier,terminal or other type of dock, or to another boat of the same size,smaller size or bigger size. A pipe providing heavy oil, including butnot limited to high paraffinic crude oil, heavy fuel oil, long residue,including but not limited to flexible pipe, pipe equipped with aCAM-lock, coming from the shore or the other boat is connected to a tubethat is attached to a pipe that leads into the device; another pipeproviding a diluent including but not limited to straight run diesel orgasoil, kerosene, naphtha, gas condensate, shale oil, vacuum gasoil,diesel fuel, kerosene fuel, MGO, including but not limited to flexiblepipe, pipe equipped with a CAM-lock, coming from the shore or the otherboat is connected to the a tube that is attached to a pipe that leadsinto the device.

A second flexible pipe is attached to a pipe that is attached to thedevice and which receives the outflow of a liquid put through thedevice. The second flexible pipe is then attached to a connection on thesame boat as the invention, the second boat, or on the shore, whereinthe connection is attached to a pipe that leads into an empty tank.Following the setup of the device with the jetty, pier, terminal orother type of dock or the second boat, a heavy oil and a cutter arepumped from the jetty, pier, terminal or other type of dock or thesecond boat into the device. The device is activated and as a result,the heavy oil and the cutter are recombined in a way that results in anoil product that has a reduced viscosity and/or density. The heavy oilis pumped from the device into the empty tank on the same boat as theinvention, the second boat, or on the shore. The number of cutterstreams may be 1, 2, 3 or more.

Example 2

A device of the invention is manufactured and fixed onto a sled at anoil field. Following collection of a heavy oil, but prior to it beingput into a pipeline, the heavy oil is pumped through the device andmixed with a cutter. Through the use of the device, the amount of cutterused is reduced.

Aspects of the present specification may also be described as follows:

1. A method for reducing the viscosity of an at least one liquid using adevice configured for resonance excitation of said at least one liquid,the method comprising the steps of: closing a shutoff valve of thedevice; draining the device of air; establishing a flow through thedevice of the at least one liquid; recording the flow of said at leastone liquid using a flow meter of the device; diluting the at least oneliquid with a further liquid of relatively lower density by mixing saidliquids using resonance excitation; establishing a desired ratio betweensaid liquids using the flow meter; modulating a flow of said liquids;monitoring a viscosity of said liquids to achieve a desired blend ratiothereof; and performing a fractioning process on said liquids.

2. The method according to embodiment 1, further comprising the step ofmaintaining an even mixture of said liquids.

3. The method according to embodiments 1-2, wherein the step ofestablishing a flow through the device of the at least one liquidcomprises the step of establishing a flow through the device of an atleast one hydrogen-bonded liquid.

4. The method according to embodiments 1-3, wherein the step ofestablishing a flow through the device of an at least onehydrogen-bonded liquid comprises the step of establishing a flow throughthe device of an at least one heavy fuel oil.

5. The method according to embodiments 1-4, wherein the step ofestablishing a flow through the device of heavy fuel oil comprises thestep of establishing a flow through the device of a high paraffiniccrude oil.

6. The method according to embodiments 1-5, wherein the step ofperforming a fractioning process comprises the steps of: diverting aportion of the flow of said liquids; subjecting a diverted portion ofthe flow of said liquids to a preliminary treatment with resonanceexcitation; combining the diverted portion and a non-diverted portion ofthe flow of said liquids; and feeding the combined diverted portion andnon-diverted portion into a fractioning tower of the device.

7. The method according to embodiments 1-6, further comprising the stepsof: returning a portion of a residual fraction from the fractioningtower back into said fractioning tower; and subjecting said returnedresidual fraction to a preliminary treatment with resonance excitation.

8. The method according to embodiments 1-7, wherein the step of dilutingthe at least one liquid comprises the step of adding a cutter to the atleast one liquid through a cutter line of the device.

9. The method according to embodiments 1-8, wherein the step of adding acutter to the at least one liquid comprises the step of adding a lighthydrocarbon to the at least one liquid to reduce the viscosity andspecific gravity of the at least one liquid.

10. The method according to embodiments 1-9, wherein the step of mixingthe liquids using resonance excitation comprises the steps of: movingthe liquids into a cavity of a working wheel that rotates inside astator of the device; and discharging the liquids through a series ofoutlet openings provided along a peripheral circumference of the rotor,into an annular chamber formed by a coaxial wall and the peripheralcircumference of the rotor, at which point the resonant excitation ofthe mixture of liquids is affected.

11. The method according to embodiments 1-10, further comprising thestep of controlling a rotation frequency of the rotor based on at leastone of the viscosity of the liquids, a pour flash point of the liquids,an asphaltene and wax content of the liquids, a paraffin content of theliquids, a flow temperature of the liquids, a chemical composition ofthe liquids, and a rheology of the liquids.

12. A method for reducing the viscosity of an at least one liquid usinga device configured for resonance excitation of said at least oneliquid, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a flow throughthe device of the at least one liquid; recording the flow of said atleast one liquid using a flow meter of the device; diluting the at leastone liquid with a further liquid of relatively lower density by mixingsaid liquids using resonance excitation; establishing a desired ratiobetween said liquids using the flow meter; modulating a flow of saidliquids; monitoring a viscosity of said liquids to achieve a desiredblend ratio thereof; diverting a portion of the flow of said liquids;subjecting a diverted portion of the flow of said liquids to apreliminary treatment with resonance excitation; combining the divertedportion and a non-diverted portion of the flow of said liquids; andfeeding the combined diverted portion and non-diverted portion into afractioning tower of the device.

13. A method for reducing the viscosity of a bitumen using a deviceconfigured for resonance excitation of said bitumen, the methodcomprising the steps of: closing a shutoff valve of the device; drainingthe device of air; establishing a flow through the device of thebitumen; recording the flow of the bitumen using a flow meter of thedevice; diluting the bitumen with a liquid of relatively lower densityby mixing the liquid with the bitumen using resonance excitation;establishing a desired ratio between the bitumen and the liquid usingthe flow meter; modulating a flow of the bitumen and the liquid;monitoring a viscosity of the bitumen and the liquid to achieve adesired blend ratio thereof; and performing a fractioning process on thebitumen and the liquid.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the presentspecification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, oneskilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosedembodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subjectmatter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particularmethodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such,various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of thedisclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachingsherein without departing from the spirit of the present specification.Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely asshown and described.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein,including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out theinvention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend for thepresent invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically describedherein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications andequivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended heretoas permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of theabove-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof isencompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the presentinvention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member maybe referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with othergroup members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or moremembers of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group asmodified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groupsused in the appended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic,item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in thepresent specification and claims are to be understood as being modifiedin all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about”means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, orterm so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent aboveand below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity,parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, andnot as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication shouldat least be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstandingthat the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope ofthe invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values setforth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible.Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges ofvalues herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate numerical value falling withinthe range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of anumerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if itwere individually recited herein. Similarly, as used herein, unlessindicated to the contrary, the term “substantially” is a term of degreeintended to indicate an approximation of the characteristic, item,quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified, encompassing arange that can be understood and construed by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspectof an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “maynot” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses thatan embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included aspart of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation orexclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that anembodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner,use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect ofan embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment maybe included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such anegative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based onwhether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited inthe claimed subject matter.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context ofdescribing the present invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, ordinal indicators—such as “first,” “second,” “third,”etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish between theelements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number ofsuch elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order ofsuch elements unless otherwise specifically stated. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the presentinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventionotherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, theopen-ended transitional term “comprising” (along with equivalentopen-ended transitional phrases thereof such as “including,”“containing” and “having”) encompasses all the expressly recitedelements, limitations, steps and/or features alone or in combinationwith un-recited subject matter; the named elements, limitations and/orfeatures are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations and/orfeatures may be added and still form a construct within the scope of theclaim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited inthe claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of”or “consisting essentially of” in lieu of or as an amendment for“comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added peramendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludesany element, limitation, step, or feature not expressly recited in theclaims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of”limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements,limitations, steps and/or features and any other elements, limitations,steps and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning ofthe open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined asencompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, stepsand/or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones.The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” isbeing defined as only including those elements, limitations, stepsand/or features specifically recited in the claim, whereas the meaningof the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” isbeing defined as only including those elements, limitations, stepsand/or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements,limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect thebasic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter.Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (along withequivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within itsmeaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by theclosed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consistingessentially of.” As such, embodiments described herein or so claimedwith the phrase “comprising” are expressly or inherently unambiguouslydescribed, enabled and supported herein for the phrases “consistingessentially of” and “consisting of.”

All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced andidentified in the present specification are individually and expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose ofdescribing and disclosing, for example, the compositions andmethodologies described in such publications that might be used inconnection with the present invention. These publications are providedsolely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the presentapplication. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admissionthat the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure byvirtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as tothe date or representation as to the contents of these documents isbased on the information available to the applicants and does notconstitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contentsof these documents.

While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to atleast one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by thoseskilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather,the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction withthe appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s)believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reducing the viscosity of an atleast one hydrogen-bonded liquid using a device configured for resonanceexcitation of said at least one hydrogen-bonded liquid, the methodcomprising the steps of: closing a shutoff valve of the device; drainingthe device of air; establishing a flow through the device of the atleast one hydrogen-bonded liquid; recording the flow of said at leastone hydrogen-bonded liquid using a flow meter of the device; dilutingthe at least one hydrogen-bonded liquid with a further liquid ofrelatively lower density by mixing said liquids using resonanceexcitation; establishing a desired ratio between said liquids using theflow meter; modulating a flow of said liquids; monitoring a viscosity ofsaid liquids to achieve a desired blend ratio thereof; and performing afractioning process on said liquids, wherein said at least onehydrogen-bonded liquid is a liquid petroleum having an API gravity lessthan 20°.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofmaintaining an even mixture of said liquids.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein said liquid petroleum having an API gravity of less than 20° isat least one of a bitumen and a high paraffinic crude oil.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the step of performing a fractioning processcomprises the steps of: diverting a portion of the flow of said liquids;subjecting a diverted portion of the flow of said liquids to apreliminary treatment with resonance excitation; combining the divertedportion and a non-diverted portion of the flow of said liquids; andfeeding the combined diverted portion and non-diverted portion into afractioning tower of the device.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising the steps of: returning a portion of a residual fraction fromthe fractioning tower back into said fractioning tower; and subjectingsaid returned residual fraction to a preliminary treatment withresonance excitation.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofdiluting the at least one hydrogen-bonded liquid comprises the step ofadding a cutter to the at least one hydrogen-bonded liquid through acutter line of the device.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step ofadding a cutter to the at least one hydrogen-bonded liquid comprises thestep of adding a light hydrocarbon to the at least one hydrogen-bondedliquid to reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of the at least onehydrogen-bonded liquid.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofmixing said liquids using resonance excitation comprises the steps of:moving said liquids into a cavity of a working wheel that rotates insidea stator of the device; and discharging said liquids through a series ofoutlet openings provided along a peripheral circumference of the rotor,into an annular chamber formed by a coaxial wall and the peripheralcircumference of the rotor, at which point the resonant excitation ofthe mixture of said liquids is affected.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising the step of controlling a rotation frequency of therotor based on at least one of the viscosity of said liquids, a pourflash point of said liquids, an asphaltene and wax content of saidliquids, a paraffin content of said liquids, a flow temperature of saidliquids, a chemical composition of said liquids, and a rheology of saidliquids.
 10. A method for reducing the viscosity of an at least oneliquid petroleum having an API gravity of less than 20° using a deviceconfigured for resonance excitation of said at least one liquidpetroleum, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a flowthrough the device of the at least one liquid petroleum; recording theflow of said at least one liquid petroleum using a flow meter of thedevice; diluting the at least one liquid petroleum with a further liquidof relatively lower density by mixing said liquid with the at least oneliquid petroleum using resonance excitation; establishing a desiredratio between said liquid and the at least one liquid petroleum usingthe flow meter; modulating a flow of said liquid and the at least oneliquid petroleum; monitoring a viscosity of said liquid and the at leastone liquid petroleum to achieve a desired blend ratio thereof; divertinga portion of the flow of said liquid and the at least one liquidpetroleum; subjecting a diverted portion of the flow of said liquid andthe at least one liquid petroleum to a preliminary treatment withresonance excitation; combining the diverted portion and a non-divertedportion of the flow of said liquid and the at least one liquidpetroleum; and feeding the combined diverted portion and non-divertedportion into a fractioning tower of the device.
 11. A method forreducing the viscosity of a bitumen using a device configured forresonance excitation of said bitumen, the method comprising the stepsof: closing a shutoff valve of the device; draining the device of air;establishing a flow through the device of the bitumen; recording theflow of the bitumen using a flow meter of the device; diluting thebitumen with a liquid of relatively lower density by mixing the liquidwith the bitumen using resonance excitation; establishing a desiredratio between the bitumen and the liquid using the flow meter;modulating a flow of the bitumen and the liquid; monitoring a viscosityof the bitumen and the liquid to achieve a desired blend ratio thereof;and performing a fractioning process on the bitumen and the liquid.